Five-band equalizer and dynamics
Precision Channel Strip is a modern, five-band EQ module combined with a clean compressor/limiter module for flexible dynamics processing.
The Precision Channel Strip's EQ section offers up to five bands of powerful tone shaping, with filter switching among cut, shelf, and fully parametric EQ. Each band is capable of frequency overlap with a full 20 Hz to 20 kHz range, and the EQ can be easily routed before or after the dynamics section, giving you more sonic flexibility.
A versatile and easy to use design, Precision Channel Strip's dynamics section offers a continuously adjustable ratio with a broad range of attack and release options from slow and transparent, to snappy, over-the-top smack and aggression. Use the Auto Gain feature for quick, on-the-fly adjustments, or bypass it for fine-tuned manual control of your sources.
- Musical and flexible EQ with lattice filter design
- Five overlapping bands with cut, peak, or shelf filtering
- Natural-to-aggressive dynamics control — from soft compression to hard limiting
- Optional dynamics auto-makeup gain and dynamics/EQ routing swap
Precision Mix Rack Collection
Precision Channel Strip is part of the Precision Mix Rack Collection, which provides modern, high-quality production tools for tracking and mixing. The Precision Mix Rack Collection includes the following UAD plug-ins:
- Precision Channel Strip
Five-band EQ plus dynamics processing - Precision Delay Mod
High fidelity stereo delay processor with modulation - Precision Delay Mod Long
Same as Precision Delay Mod with longer delay times - Precision Reflection Engine
Small room ambience simulator
Operational Overview
The Precision Channel Strip comprises EQ, Dynamics, and Output sections, as illustrated below.
Equalizer
The equalizer module is designed for a clean, high-fidelity sound. The EQ comprises five fully-parametric lattice filter bands, each with its own set of controls. All bands have a full 20 Hz to 20 kHz frequency range so they can be overlapped for complex response curves. The first two bands can function as a low-shelf or high-pass filter. Similarly, the last two bands can function as either a high-shelf or low-pass filter.
Dynamics
The dynamics section offers high fidelity compression and limiting with continuous controls and a peak/hold gain reduction meter. The algorithm has a unique minimum distortion design that smooths the attack-to-release transition, minimizing compression artifacts.
Continuously adjustable compression ratios from 1:1 to Infinity:1 are available, with a broad range of attack and release times. Automatic makeup gain can be enabled or disabled.
The equalizer module is normally routed into the dynamics module, but this routing can be optionally reversed to place the dynamics processor before the EQ.
Output
Separate gain controls are available for the equalizer and dynamics modules. Accurate peak/hold stereo meters can be switched to display plug-in input or output levels.
Equalizer Controls
Refer to the illustration below for control descriptions in this section.
Band Enable
Each of the five individual filter bands can be individually enabled or disabled with these buttons. A filter band is enabled when its button is lit. When disabled, the band's value displays are dimmed. By default, all bands are enabled.
Bandwidth (Q)
These continuous knobs determine the proportion of frequencies surrounding the center frequency to be affected by band. Higher values generate narrower/sharper bands; lower values generate broader/wider bands. The available range is 0.03 - 32 for all five bands.
LF1, LF2
In both low frequency bands (LF1 and LF2), when Bandwidth is set to its minimum value, the band becomes a low-shelf filter. When set to its maximum value, the band becomes a high-pass filter.
Tip: Click the filter or shelf symbols to quickly select the function.
Note: When set to HI PASS, the band's Gain control is disabled.
HF1, HF2
In both high frequency bands (HF1 and HF2), when Bandwidth is set to its minimum value, the band becomes a high-shelf filter. When set to its maximum value, the band becomes a low-pass filter.
Note: When set to LO PASS, the band's Gain control is disabled.
Frequency
These continuous knobs define each band's center frequency to be boosted or attenuated by the band's Gain setting. The available range is 20 Hz to 20 kHz for all bands.
Gain
The Gain control determines the amount by which the frequency setting is boosted or attenuated for the band. The available range is ±18 dB.
Tip: Click the "0" label to quickly set the value to 0 dB.
Dynamics Controls
Refer to the illustration below for control descriptions in this section.
Attack
Attack sets the amount of time that must elapse, after the input signal reaches the Threshold level, before compression will occur.
The minimum available attack time is sample rate dependent. At sample rates of 44.1 kHz and 48 kHz, the minimum attack time is 0.05 milliseconds. At 88.2 kHz and 96 kHz, the minimum attack is 0.03 milliseconds. At 176.4 kHz and 196 kHz, the minimum attack is 0.02 milliseconds. The maximum available attack time is 100 milliseconds at all sample rates.
The faster the attack time, the more rapidly compression is applied to signals above the Threshold. Slower attack times allow signal attack transients to pass through without compression, which can facilitate a more "punchy" sound.
Release
Release sets the amount of time it takes for compression to cease once the input signal drops below the Threshold level. The available range is 25 milliseconds to 2500 milliseconds (2.5 seconds).
Slower release times can smooth the transition that occurs when the signal dips below the threshold, which is especially useful for material with frequent peaks. However, if the release setting is too long, compression for audio sections with loud signals may extend to audio sections with lower signals.
Ratio
Ratio determines the amount of gain reduction applied by the dynamics processor. For example, a value of 2 (expressed as a 2:1 ratio) reduces the signal above the threshold by half, with an input signal of 20 dB being reduced to 10 dB.
A value of 1 yields no compression. Values beyond 10 yield a limiting effect. The range is 1 to infinity (INF).
Threshold
Sets the threshold level for dynamics processing. Any signals that exceed this level are compressed. Signals below the level are unaffected. A Threshold of 0 dB yields no compression. The range is 0 dB to -60 dB.
Note: As with many analog compressors, gain reduction can be triggered even if Threshold is set to 0 dB.
Auto Gain
Auto Gain is enabled when the button is lit. The default state is enabled.
As Threshold is increased and more compression occurs, the output level is inherently reduced by the gain reduction process. Auto Gain automatically compensates for this level reduction by reciprocally increasing the output gain as the compressor's output level is reduced.
Dynamics Pre EQ
By default, the input signal is routed into the EQ module, and the output of the EQ is routed into the dynamics module.
By enabling Dynamics Pre EQ, this signal routing is swapped. When the "DYN > EQ" button is lit, the input signal is routed into the dynamics module, and the output of the compressor is routed into the EQ module.
Gain Reduction Meter
The single Gain Reduction Meter (labeled "GR") is located between the main left/right stereo I/O meters. This peak/hold meter displays (in blue) the amount of gain reduction occurring in the dynamics module. Maximum GR peaks are held for 3 seconds before resetting.
I/O Meters
The stereo peak/hold meters (labeled L and R, respectively) display the signal level at the input or output of the plug-in, depending on the Meter Input/Output buttons.
The meter range is from -30 dB to 0 dBFS. Signal peaks are held for 3 seconds before resetting.
Note: The I/O meters remain active even if either or both the EQ and dynamics modules are disabled (all meters are inactive when the plug-in is disabled).
Meter Input/Output
These buttons determine whether the stereo I/O Meters display plug-in input levels or output levels. The IN or OUT button is lit when the meters are displaying input or output levels respectively.
Output Controls
Refer to the illustration below for control descriptions in this section.
EQ Enable
This button globally enables/disables the entire EQ module. The module is enabled when the EQ button is lit. When disabled, all EQ bands are dimmed. The EQ module is enabled by default.
EQ Enable is convenient for comparing levels of the original and equalized signals.
Note: UAD-2 DSP usage is reduced when the EQ module is disabled (if DSP LoadLock is not active).
EQ Level
This knob adjusts the output level of the EQ module. The available range is -25 dB to +15 dB.
Tip: Click "0" to quickly set the value to 0 dB.
Dynamics Enable
This button globally enables/disables the entire dynamics module. The module is enabled when the DYNAMICS button is lit. When disabled, all dynamics parameters and display fields are dimmed. The dynamics module is enabled by default.
Dynamics Enable is convenient for comparing levels of the original and compressed signals.
Note: UAD-2 DSP usage is reduced when the dynamics module is disabled (if DSP LoadLock is not active).
Dynamics Level
This knob adjusts the output level of the dynamics module. The available range is -25 dB to +15 dB.
Note: Click "0" to quickly set the value to 0 dB.
Power
Power is the plug-in bypass control. When set to OFF, all parameter and meter values are no longer visible, and the UA logo is dimmed.
Tip: Power can also be toggled by clicking the UA diamond logo.
If DSP LoadLock is disabled, UAD-2 DSP usage is reduced when the plug-in is bypassed. The DSP LoadLock setting is in the UAD Meter & Control Panel application.
Power is useful for comparing the processed settings to the original signal. Unlike the host application's plug-in disable switch, which can cause audio artifacts, the Power switch offers glitch-free bypass.
EX-1 Migration
As of UAD v8.2, Precision Channel Strip replaces the original EX-1 plug-in. When a session containing EX-1 is opened in UAD v8.2 and later, EX-1 plug-in instances, settings, and presets are automatically migrated to the newer Precision Channel Strip.
For additional information about how EX-1 migration is handled, see "Migrating Prior Settings" in the CS-1 chapter.